Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders with the Gastrolyzer

Specialists now have more state-of-the-art non-invasive tests at hand to detect and manage gastrointestinal disorders. Gastrolyzer® is the latest non-invasive assessment tool to helps gastroenterologist detect gastrointestinal disorders such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and investigate lactose intolerance.

How does it work?

The Gastrolyzer® helps detect and investigate lactose intolerance — among other sugar intolerances — through hydrogen breath testing. The patient can opt to use a facemask or mouthpiece. He takes a deep breath, holds it for 15 seconds and exhales into the Gastrolyzer® at various intervals. Readings instantly appear on the screen and are interpreted by the specialist.

The device measures the level of hydrogen in the exhaled breath that is produced when the gut breaks down food. The results of the breath test can help determine if the patient has conditions such as malabsorption (abnormality in absorption of food nutrients across the gastrointestinal tract), a food intolerance, or a bacterial overgrowth problem. Quick and accurate results through hydrogen and methane breath testing means the patient can be diagnosed and treated more promptly.